The Unpredictable Fire Adventurers [General Iroh II x Reader] [Legend of Korra]

『a bump in the road

After spending days traveling through the canyon, your body is on the brink of exhaustion with your back aching, joints clicking, and feet blistering-- your body is clearly so done with life.

The only thing keeping it running is the assortment of food Iroh brought. "I think I would be dead if it weren't for you emptying out your entire pantry before you left home," you exhale.

That earns you a chuckle from a tired Iroh. He doesn't appear to be as out of shape as you, but sleeping on the hard ground for the past weeks has him weary. "Well, I'd be sort of lost if it weren't for your impeccable memory."

You smile at him, "I appreciate you appreciating me."

He smiles back.

"I will appreciate myself in silence then," Haku sulkingly adds himself into the conversation.

You both glance over your shoulders to see Haku and his facial hair trailing behind. It's only been a few days since you left the canyon, a few days since you acquired an earth bender by the name of Haku, and the atmosphere has still been awkward. Iroh and you had naturally clicked; the bond you two formed was near impenetrable, and it's taking Haku time to adjust to it.

You throw Haku a forced smile and continue forward. The canyons are now a thing of the past, a forested view now painting your vision; all that awaits are the docks that lead straight to the Northern Water Tribe. However, nightfall colors the sky before you can reach the docks, and so you settle in for the night at the nearest clearing.

"Here's good," Iroh states as he places his bags down. "I'll get some wood and start a fire."

"I'll help with the wood!" Haku immediately volunteers. You both stare at him with pitiful expressions, and he catches his mistake. "I get that it sounds wrong! Just stop being so perverted!"

With a sigh, Iroh ventures deep into the forest along with Haku. You perform your role of clearing an area for comfort, kicking away debris until you're able to place your blankets neatly on the floor. Once you finish, you drop onto your makeshift bed and rummage through the food supply. Your heart drops at the utter depletion of snacks.

"We might need to resort to hunting," you say to yourself. The thought of it dampens your mood. There is only so much you can do with knowledge; what you need is experience. 'Maybe Iroh can hunt... I'll ask him when he comes back.'

You watch as the sun sets, giving room for the moon to bask the world in its dim light. Your eyelids begin to feel heavy and you lay back onto your blanket, placing your head on the covered ground. Your gaze travels up to the bush behind you, and something peculiar catches your attention.

A pair of ice blue eyes stares at you through the leaves. There isn't a second thought about it as you realize that you are gazing into another person's eyes.

"IROH!" you yell at the top of your lungs, rolling onto your feet to distance yourself from the bush.

The person jumps out, just as startled as you but with less paranoia to his movements. "Don't scream!" he instructs with panic.

His eyes are more beautiful up close and a nice contrast to his dark creamy skin and chocolate locks. What intimidates you is the strong build of his body, which is covered with tattered water tribe clothes.

"IROH!!" you repeat with more urgency to it.

The man continues to panic, waving a hand in front of him. "I don't mean harm, I just--"

"IROH!!" you continue, ignoring the man's pleas.

The man tries to speak up again but his stomach growls instead. There's a pause between you two until you hear someone rushing through the forest.

"[NAME]?!" Iroh calls out as he finally makes it to the campsite. He stands in front of you, hands ablaze in fire, a silent warning to the stranger to back away.

But the man counters, bending water out of a water flask placed on his hip.

"A waterbender?" Iroh mutters.

The water floats for a moment, but falters and drops quickly. Soon after, the man staggers and faints, leaving the both of you confused. However, before either of you can assess the situation, Haku runs towards you two panting.

"Y-You... didn't have...to leave me," he wheezes, "behind...with the wood."

Iroh ignores the nearly dying boy and cautiously takes a step back, pushing you along with him. "Did he do anything to you?"

You shake your head and he sighs with relief. "I think he was hungry, and I jumped to conclusions."

"Well, he looks strong so let's not drop our guard around him."

"What do we do now though?"

Iroh turns to face you, his eyes inspecting your form in a subtle manner. "Why don't we... just travel for the docks?"

You eye the man on the floor. Understanding Iroh's reasoning to abandon the camp, you merely agree with the nod of your head. Haku does the same, kicking the logs to one side.

The three of you are quick to pack up your belongings and escape. But there's a shred of pity that causes you to place a few snacks in front of the man.

"Don't die, old man."

"I'm... not... o-old."

"EEP!" you squeak as you jump. "LET'S RUN FOR IT!"

"AGREED!" Haku yells as he packs his belongings in less than .01 second and rushes out the campsite.